A major irritant is that barbarian units seem to be invariably technologically ahead. This has the undesirable effect of forcing city wall construction, warrior code, and researching gunpowder. Of course this can be partially alleviated through the game set-up for barbarians. Nevertheless, I would like to suggest that barbarian units, in most cased, be less advanced than your current unit technology. Of course, there could be some situations where barbarian units could still be technologically ahead.

Apart from the first turns, when they have legions, barbarians have techs found by at least two (?) players. So if barbarians are technologically ahead of you, you are lagging behind in research. And if they are dangerous, you should be worried of being overwhelmed by more advanced civs.

I've noticed that. I have also noticed that even when first on literacy, I can be last on research bulbs in many cases. Even late in the game, when I am both first in literacy and first in population; I can still be last in research bulbs.

Steve R. wrote:Even late in the game, when I am both first in literacy and first in population; I can still be last in research bulbs.

You may want to use a higher science rate and switch to Republic or Democracy. Have governors prefer food or science. Big cities (>=10) are also very useful (often more than several smaller ones together) because of specialists. Build happiness wonders and buildings.

There is no point at keeping a high science rate once you get to future techs (unless playing with tech upkeep enabled). At this point, you can sell universities, libraries and the like: they're just expensive bloat.